Month: October 2013

UNION CITY — Community and faith leaders will participate in a night walk on the west side of Union City to reach out to other community members affected by violence. The Youth Violence Prevention Coalition, the group sponsoring the Nov. 1 walk, will be joined by youth and faith groups, community representatives and advocates to demonstrate the growing community concern about youth-related violence in Union City.

The Youth Violence Prevention Coalition was formed in August 2007 when local parents, students and organizations including Congregations Organizing for Renewal, Filipino Advocates for Justice, Union City Pastor’s Alliance and city and school district staff came together after the death of Biniam Yifru to address the numerous shootings and stabbings that affected y9ung people of Union City. The coalition has engaged over 700 people and was successful in getting community support for a parcel tax that currently funds Union City’s Youth and Family Services to provide violence prevention and intervention services.

WHAT: Community Night Walk Against Violence

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1

WHERE: Beginning at Filipino Advocates for Justice, 3961 Horner St. (cross is Vallejo St.), Union City

Alameda County Water District to Host Public Informational MeetingDistrict to Discuss Main Replacement and Seismic Upgrade Program

On November 5, the Alameda County Water District (ACWD) will host a public meeting regarding the Main Replacement and Seismic Upgrade Program, specifically regarding the Large Diameter Hayward Fault Pipeline Retrofits taking place throughout the city of Fremont, and at one location in Union City. Beginning in December, a major pipeline on Union Street and Union Common will be retrofitted between High Street and Farallon Common. During construction, traffic along Union Street and Union Common will be impacted.

ACWD will upgrade 15 pipelines that cross 8.5 miles of the Hayward Fault line first, before upgrading the other pipelines included in the overall Main Replacement and Seismic Upgrade Program.

ACWD staff will be available to answer questions and provide information about project need, details, schedule, and potential impacts.

NEWARK — A vote to certify the general plan’s final environmental impact report has been pushed back at least two weeks, after a fiery Planning Commission meeting where residents complained the city gave them just a day to review the document.

The draft report was made public Monday and posted on the city’s website, but some residents told the commission on Tuesday they could not access it because the large file kept freezing their computers.

“The public’s ability to provide substantive comments during this public hearing are being thwarted because the documents under review were not provided in a timely fashion,” said Carin High, member of the environmental group Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge. “I’ve never encountered a situation before where the public is given only one day.”

High was one of 10 residents to address the commissioners, with each speaker calling for the vote to be delayed.

More than a little scary that you can be “driving too slow” in one second and get shot in another.

Story by Erin Ivie and Rick Hurd

FREMONT — A man and his dog survived a road-rage shooting Thursday morning when the two crossed paths with an armed motorist who shot the 59-year-old Pleasanton man after a heated exchange on Interstate 680 in Fremont.

The injured man, who told officers he may have been driving too slow for the suspect’s liking, was rushed into surgery after being shot at least once in the upper torso, Fremont police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said. His injuries were described as “serious” but not life-threatening.

FREMONT — Council members offered support for installing surveillance cameras around the city, but postponed voting on the issue Tuesday night because of concerns over funding them with federal housing grants intended to help the poor.

Fremont police were asking the council to reallocate $161,375 in Community Development Block Grant funds — which are earmarked for low- to moderate-income communities — to install 20 digital video cameras to prevent crime.

“I don’t have a problem with the camera program … it’s not an invasion of privacy,” Councilman Vinnie Bacon said. “The linking of the two (the program and the federal housing funds) is where I have the problem.”

After Vice Mayor Anu Natarajan and Councilwoman Sue Chan raised similar concerns, City Manager Fred Diaz suggested that all parties revisit the issue in February, when officials could use mid-year budget projections to identify other funding sources.

The five-member council agreed, voting unanimously to wait a few months to gather more information before reconsidering the item.

Police Chief Richard Lucero said that he will use that extra time to research “protocols and specifics” on how the camera program could be implemented while striking a balance between law enforcement and privacy concerns.

Three residents spoke at the meeting, and each opposed installing the cameras under any circumstance because of concerns about privacy.

FREMONT — Saying they want to prevent crime and catch criminals, police are asking the City Council to consider installing surveillance cameras in “low- to moderate-income areas” of the city.

The cameras are a response to requests from residents for more surveillance to combat a rise in home burglaries, said Lt. John Liu, who is heading up the effort. A Community Development Block Grant — the federal housing money that would fund the camera system — requires that they be placed in low-income areas, he said.

“It’s not the program’s intent to focus on any one type of resident,” Liu said. “This is part of a larger project, and our intent is place these cameras around the entire city, eventually.”

Grant money totaling $161,375 will go toward the purchase of up to 20 digital video cameras, which would be mounted on Fremont streetlights and public buildings. The surveillance camera system’s startup costs will cost about $450,000 and police will have to find additional funds to pay for it, Liu said.

Police said use of the cameras will follow federal law by capturing images of motorists and vehicles on roadways, but not private property.

A press release from the campaign office (more details below) of state assembly candidate, Craig Steckler:

Former Fremont Police Chief Craig Steckler officially launched his campaign for the State Assembly today, unveiling major endorsements from across the district and pledging to use his 30 years of experience in public leadership to provide strong representation in Sacramento.

Steckler, a Democrat, currently serves as the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world’s largest and oldest organization supporting police chiefs, and has a long history of community service. He is running in the 25th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Newark, Fremont, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and a portion of San Jose.

“I’m very grateful for the support my campaign has already received from the community, and I look forward to a conversation about the future of our diverse and vibrant district,” said Steckler. “The priorities of this community are my priorities – schools, innovation and technology, small business, public safety, and more cooperation between state and local government. I’m not a career politician, but I know how to listen, lead and get results.”

Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison, Alameda County Central Committee Member Cybil Smith, and retired Santa Clara Police Chief Steve Lodge will serve as campaign co-chairs. Other prominent endorsers include Alameda County Board of Education President Eileen McDonald, Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern and many other elected and community leaders listed here.

As the Chief of Police of Fremont for 21 years before retiring last year, Steckler earned a reputation as one of the most progressive and innovative leaders in California law enforcement. He implemented policies to integrate cutting edge-technology, promote and respect diversity, give the community a strong voice, and help local schools. He is a past president of the California Police Chiefs Association, where he worked directly with the legislature and law enforcement leaders across the state to improve public safety. In his current role as President of the IACP, which ends this October, Steckler helps promote best practices among 22,000 members in 100 countries.

His extensive community service work has included serving as president of Niles Rotary, as a 20 year board member of the SAVE domestic violence shelter in Fremont, and as a community college lecturer.

I’ve been a bit under the weather lately and obviously not as active in posting new stories/items as I would have liked. I’m feeling better now. And more frequent posts will be coming. Thanks for your patience.